Jared Gaither, LT, Maryland… 6-8, 350, JR… Entered the 2007 summer supplemental draft when he was declared academically ineligible for the upcoming season; technically would only have been a true junior this fall, but is eligible to jump to the pros because he attended a prep school for a year after high school. Imposing physical presence with the potential to be a shut down LT at the next level; indeed, may be about the closest thing to current Baltimore Pro Bowler Jonathan Ogden to come along in a while, but is still just starting to scratch the surface of his talent; relative newcomer to football who was a basketball player in high school and actually originally signed to play hoops with South Carolina before switching to football; played only one year of prep football and that at DT; tall player with a huge wingspan; naturally strong with good athletic skills including a 36-inch vertical leap which would have been three inches more than the highest figure at this year’s combine; may not time all that well in the 40, but is very nimble on his feet; slides around the pocket with ease and can change directions; has excellent balance and can change directions; athletic knee bender, but needs to concentrate on keeping his pads low all the time; not exactly a road grader but is a solid enough run blocker who gets good position and locks on with long arms; did not allow a sack in 2005 when he started every game at LT for the Terps replacing an injured Stephon Heyer; maturity came into question last fall, though, when he reportedly sulked and got into the coaches’ doghouse after being moved to RT when Heyer was granted another year of eligibility; was suspended briefly at camp last fall and was later suspended from last year's bowl game for violating team rules, although it likely related to missing classes; also battled some nagging injuries late last season… Based on pure physical potential, Gaither may be the best supplemental draft prospect since Bernie Kosar was taken with what turned out to be a #1 pick overall back in the late 1980s, but is a real wild card because of concerns about his level of maturity and work ethic. Complicating the decision for many teams will be the fact that the 2008 draft looks like it will be relatively deep at OT. Teams that use a supplemental pick will, of course, lose their selection in that round at the 2008 draft and teams thinking about bidding on Gaither with an early supplemental choice will have to try and project where they will pick next April and which OTs are likely to be available at that time.

<>Paul Oliver, CB, Georgia… 5-10.5, 195, SR, 4.58… Productive all-SEC cover corner who like Gaither, opted to enter the supplemental draft because he was going to be academically ineligible this fall; had been thought of as a potential early to mid second rounder, but had a disappointing pro day workout late last month. Oliver had been listed at over 6 feet and almost 210 pounds by the school, but actually measured in at under 5-11 and just 195 pounds. Worse for Oliver, he only ran in the mid-to-high 4.5 range for the 40, with at least one team reportedly timing him in over 4.6 seconds. Oliver also didn’t score all that well in some of the other tests posting just a 33-inch vertical leap and a 3-cone-drill time of over 7.3 seconds. For the record, that time in the 3-cone drill would have been the second worst among CBs at this year’s scouting combine, while the vertical leap would also have been in the lower third of combine participants at the position. That said, Oliver did show good footwork and ball skills; he also has the ability to turn and run with most receivers; he also has long arms and the size and strength to battle taller receivers for the ball when its in the air; he’s also an excellent tackler in the open field; and while that 40 time was relatively slow the consensus is that Oliver plays faster; indeed, if he was a little taller teams might actually start to think about Oliver as a potential safety; only started one year at UGA where he had 57 tackles and picked off three passes; also limited Georgia Tech WR Calvin Johnson, the second player selected at the 2007 draft, to 2 catches and 13 yards in the Dawgs’ regular season finale this past fall. … After his disappointing workout, Oliver probably compares now to Daymeion Hughes, the very productive Cal CB who wasn’t taken until the comp picks in the 3rd round (96th overall) after a series of poor workouts prior to the draft. Oliver doesn’t have Hughes’ instincts, but he is still a very physical corner who is an excellent tackler and will be targeted by teams holding extra mid-round picks at the 2008 draft.
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<>Chris Patrick, OT, Nebraska… 6-4.5, 303, SR, 5.20… While UGA’s Oliver stock slid because of a poor workout, the Huskers’ Patrick saw his status rise after a solid workout. Indeed, there were some reports that Patrick was timed in the 40 in around 5.10 seconds, For the record, only 2-3 offensive linemen timed better at the combine. Later reports, though, suggest that Patrick’s time was actually closer to 5.30 but even that time would have put him in the top half of this year’s combine offensive lineman. Patrick also did 31 reps bench-pressing 225 pounds and turned in a 27-inch vertical leap, again both of which compare favorably with the numbers posted at the combine. Indeed, Patrick is a very good athlete who came to Nebraska as a DE and brings a lit of that nasty defensive temperment to the OL. While Patrick was Nebraska’s starting LT last season, he isn’t all that big at a bulked up 300-plus pounder, and the consensus seems to be that he’d be better suited to playing OG at the next level. In fact, actually only started two games for the Huskers, but because of his experience at OT might have a little extra value because of his versatility. Still its hard to see many teams be being willing to part with anything more than a very late round pick to acquire Patrick.

Gaither may be the best supplemental draft prospect since Bernie Kosar was taken with what turned out to be a #1 pick overall back in the late 1980s, but is a real wild card because of concerns about his level of maturity and work ethic.

The Supplemental Draft, the NFL's summer sequel to the annual April selection process, has been scheduled for July 12th. Teams, at this point, have six prospects to consider, though arguably the biggest story preceding the draft revolves around Gaither - a player not yet officially eligible. Maryland head coach Ralph Friedgen publicly announced that it was Gaither's intention to make himself eligible for the supplemental, but as of Sunday, Gaither was not apart of the official prospect list being sent to teams.

Of the group, Oliver is the most decorated and likely to earn the highest draft rating. Ineligible in 2007 due to academics, Oliver earned consensus First Team SEC honors last season despite it being his first full season as a starter. His combination of size (5-11, 195 pounds) and ballhawking skills (7 INTs in 15 starts) are sure to intrigue teams looking for late help in their defensive backfield.

Patrick, has natural tools, and though he projects inside to guard, was effective last year as Nebraska's starting left tackle. The starter at that position in each of the team's final 12 games, Patrick is athletic and strong enough that he should be able to develop in a zone or drive blocking system. Patrick deserves late round consideration.

Texas State's Mark Washington is quietly one of the more intriguing players in this draft. A freshman starter at Arizona State at linebacker, the 6-3, 250 pound Washington transferred to Texas State, where he played both defensive end and defensive tackle. Washington had lost weight in an effort to move back to linebacker this fall and shows some natural pass rush ability. He isn't likely to be drafted, but has enough size and upfield burst to generate some free agent interest from teams, especially those operating a 3-4 alignment.

Morgan State's Robert Armstrong isn't the dominant force his size would indicate, but a team could be willing to gamble on the defensive tackle's 6-4, 308 frame. Armstrong is likely going to have to sign with a team as an undrafted free agent.

Turner never played a snap for East Carolina due to academics, but signed with the team after earning All-Conference accolades at Cisco Junior College (Tx). The 6-7, 350 pounder was expected to be an immediate impact performer for East Carolina before his being suspended.

Dickson signed with Florida State as a highly touted prep defensive tackle, and flashed ability early in his career, but likely will be graded as an undraftable prospect. Dickson struggled with academics throughout his career and was ruled academically ineligible for the 2005 season. He dropped out of Florida State to enroll at Tallahassee Community College. Upon graduation from Tallahassee, Dickson was to be allowed back at Florida State. Whether Dickson ever graduated from Tallahassee is unknown, though he never was re-admitted to the Florida State football team. That didn't stop him from making news, however, as off-field troubles, including an arrest for grand theft and possession of marijuana, likely will turn NFL scouts away.

As mentioned previously, a player not yet on the official list, remains one of the more intriguing stories of the supplemental draft. Maryland offensive tackle, Jared Gaither, was ruled academically ineligible and both he and his former head coach have publicly announced his intentions to enter the supplemental draft. A 6-9, 330 pound monster, Gaither has experience at both left and right tackle and has the talent worthy of consideration in the higher rounds. There are concerns about his work ethic, however, and his play dipped in 2006 after an impressive freshman season.

Gaither is one of many prospects rumored to have been included in the supplemental draft to this point. With less than two weeks until the draft is thought that there are a few prospects still considering making themselves eligible.

Unlike the April draft, the Supplemental draft is not a televised event. Teams make their selections via email. All teams are allowed to turn in their "cards" with the name(s) of prospects they'd like to pick along with the round to do so. Should multiple teams turn in a card with the same round, the team with the higher pick is awarded the player. The order is roughly, albeit not exactly, based on April's draft order. All 32 teams are slotted into three groups based on their total victories the year before. Like in April, the first slots are designated for the teams with the fewest victories. For the supplemental draft, however, all of the teams with six or fewer victories are placed into Group A. Teams with more than 6 victories, but did not reach the playoffs are then slotted into Group B. Group C is comprised of the 12 teams that did make the playoffs. Designating the pick order in this way makes for some interesting scenarios. Last year, for example, the Houston Texans held the 1st pick in the April draft, yet the San Francisco 49ers "won" the lottery for the supplemental, earning them first pick of each and every round of the July 2006 draft.

The drawing for the final Supplemental Draft order occurs on the morning of the draft. Any team using a pick on July 12th will lose their corresponding selection in next April's draft.

Nobody there we need. Move along folks, there's nothing more to see here. The best of the rookie free agents we already have are probably every bit as good as any of these guys we might pick, considering what we might need, which ain't much at the moment.